I work with kids who have had some pretty difficult things happen to them. Most of them live with their grandparents, foster, parents, or a single parent homes because one of their parents are in prison or not in the picture. They have almost all been victims of abuse. These kids have been through a lot and they continue to go through a lot. This week has been filled with some pretty unfortunate things. First, one of the girls father died. She doesn't live with him but was hoping to be back with him soon. Then today one of the boys best friends dies from injuries he received yesterday when he was ran over accidentally by his father. It's made me realize how short our lives can be and helped me re-evaluate my life. I found this really nice little poem that kind of summed up everything that I've been thinking....
THE DASH
By Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars....the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they
say about how you spend your dash?
When friends and family sit around and reminisce about the life you lived, what memories will remain; what stories will they tell; what qualities will they have most admired; what lessons will you have taught them before you left this world? Think about what sets you apart from the crowd. Perhaps there are qualities that you don’t currently have but would like to acquire so that they too can be listed among the reasons your memory remains uplifting and inspirational to so many, even after you are gone. Whether it is who you are now, or the type of person you want to be, when all is said and done...What do YOU want to be remembered for?
THE DASH
By Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars....the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they
say about how you spend your dash?
When friends and family sit around and reminisce about the life you lived, what memories will remain; what stories will they tell; what qualities will they have most admired; what lessons will you have taught them before you left this world? Think about what sets you apart from the crowd. Perhaps there are qualities that you don’t currently have but would like to acquire so that they too can be listed among the reasons your memory remains uplifting and inspirational to so many, even after you are gone. Whether it is who you are now, or the type of person you want to be, when all is said and done...What do YOU want to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered as someone who.....
...would put aside everything for family members or friends in need
....loved her family above all else
....had an unfailing testimony of the Gospel and her Savior.
...never gave up when things got hard
So, what do you want to be remembered for??
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